The logic in this is flawed.
People who only enjoy t20 cricket or 1 day cricket at a maximum will not suddenly become fans of test cricket because it goes for 4 days instead of 5. It's no real difference to them. They will just want it reduced to 3.
The point of a test match result and why it sticks in your memory (in countries that have established a test watching culture) is that it IS THE VERY DURATION of the match that makes it special. Most Test fans do not watch all 450 overs. But they watch the first session or two. An afternoon there. They check the score at work and duck out to watch a magical spell for an hour if a hero is on song. They stay up til 3 in the morning, but only on day 3 when the fightback is in full swing. They sit down for 2 sessions straight on the weekend to watch the spinner duel with the master batsman on day 4.
The point is that the Test fans attention is not on the game for 90 overs straight in the modern age but by constantly checking the score, having time do discuss, dissect, argue & predict the days play over a few days with your friends or colleagues and then those moments when you are glued to the screen... All this sees a Test match weave itself thread by thread into the very fabric of your life. The Test becomes part of your life because it is there for so long. The time it takes to unfold is not a negative- it is the key to enjoyment.
A great Test can take several different swings over the days. Each one with its own personal stories, duels & triumphs. Within each game is the mini-game of batsman vs bowler match ups, careers on the line, legends being made.
Why reduce this glory to suit those who do not appreciate it? What fan who does not love the special pressure of the 5th day chase will suddenly go wild because it is now on the 4th day? And yet those who love Tests would see the reduction, devalue and knee-jerk empty populism chasing of the move. You weaken the games greatest strength- that 5 days allow a match to truly evolve, battles to be won, lost & won again before the war is over. They give time for the big match ups to play themselves out- you can't just hide or put up shutters for a few overs until the tiger is bowled out of overs. Atherton's heroic rearguards, Warner on day 5, Yasir Shah day 5 vs WI? And you gain nothing.
Over a summer. As these matches work their way into the culture of a country & the psyche of the fans they become a talking point. Yes, some are dull- but so many ODI & T20 are boring & one sided too. But there is nothing like the magic of a 5th day miracle. The match has time to become legendary. The series forms the backdrop to a summer of your life and some are unforgettable. '05 Ashes at 4 days only? You kidding? Mitchell Johnson's summer at 4 days only? You kidding?
Don't water down test cricket to make a half baked appeal to fans who don't get it. 4 days is still an eternity to them. Let them see Test cricket at its full best and come to enjoy it for what it is. Or to stick with the cricket they enjoy- that's fine. But I don't ask t20 to go to 25 because I like longer formats. Please don't think some nonsense plan to 4 days will improve Tests in any way.
5 days. 4 results. 2 innings. No restrictions.
